Quantitative Aptitude is a major and a highly scoring topic for the
Banking exams. We have received a lot of requests from our readers about
how to tackle the Quantitative Aptitude Section and preparation
strategy for the same. To help you all with this, today
we are going to
provide some important tips regarding the approach you should follow
during the exam and the ways in which you can improve this section.
Quantitative Aptitude is basically a
test of the numerical ability and accuracy in mathematical calculations.
Let us first have a look at the various topics that are asked in this
section –
- Simplification / Approximation
- Quadratic Equations
- Data Interpretation
- Number Series
- Work & Time
- Speed, Time & Distance
- Simple & Compound Interest
- Profit & Loss
- Ratio & Proportion (Problems on Partnership, Ages)
- Permutation & Combination
- Probability
- Percentage & Averages
- Mixture & Allegations
Expected number of questions from various topics are –
- Number series – 5 questions
- Simplification/ Approximation – 5 questions
- Quadratic Equations – 5 questions
- Data Interpretation – 10 Questions
- Miscellaneous Questions – 10 questions
Now let’s go through the approach you should follow while attempting these topics –
1. Number Series –
Questions on number series give you a series of numbers which are all connected to each other. Once you have identified this pattern, solving the question becomes very simple. You may encounter series based on following –
- Prime Numbers
- Square/Cube Series
- Difference based Series
- Alternate term series
- Multiplication or Division Series
- Series involving combination of arithmetic functions
This topic is comparatively less time
consuming and at the same time scoring. You just need to carefully
observe the pattern. You can go through the link below to find out
details of number series.
How to solve Number Series
2. Simplification/ Approximation –
Simplification means to find out a final
answer for a complex calculation. Simplification questions are asked to
check the ability of a student to deal with numbers.Whenever an
expression with multiple arithmetic operations is given, follow the BODMAS principle
for calculating the final result. Rather than calculating the exact
value in terms of decimals, calculate the approximate values and then
perform the operations.
3. Quadratic Equations –
It is simply a polynomial equation of power two. It is of the form ax2
+ bx + c = 0. You’ll be given two equations of two different variables
and you’ll need to establish a relationship between the two. Keep in
mind the following formula to evaluate the value of the variable in case
factorisation does not work –
QUANTITATIVE APTITUDE QUIZ
4. Data Interpretation –
This is a very important topic of Quantitative Aptitude Section. Nearly all the Banking Exam DI questions are based upon two chapters of Arithmetic. These are –
- Ratios
- Percentage and Averages
Hence, have a thorough practice of these topics to score well in DI
questions, since it is a highly scoring topic ( It constitutes almost
30% of the Quantitative Aptitude Section). You may come across the
following types of Data Interpretation questions –
- Pie Charts
- Line Charts
- Bar Graphs
- Tabular Charts
- Mixed Graphs
5. Miscellaneous Questions –
This topic consists of questions from the following –
- Profit and loss
- Averages
- Simple Interest and Compound Interest
- Ratio and Proportion
- Time and Work
- Time, Speed and Distance
- Boats and Streams
- Mixtures and Alligations
- Probability
Try to attempt these questions after
you are done with the first three topics since these are individual
questions (unlike DI which are in sets) and hence may be comparatively
time taking. Brush up your basics of the topics mentioned above to get a
good score in this section.
Key takeaways for Quantitative Aptitude Section –
- Time Management- This is very essential from the exam point of view and will eventually play a key role in determining your score. Analyse your weak and strong areas and manage your time accordingly. The time allotted to each and every section should be according to your weaker and stronger sections.
- Speed and Accuracy – As far as this section is concerned, speed plays a vital role since questions are normally lengthy and so you need to take utmost care of the time you are spending on each question. Try to attempt all the questions with 100% accuracy that will enhance your marks and save time.
- Remember, you do not need to attempt each and every question. This exam is just qualifying in nature and hence try to solve enough questions accurately to clear the sectional and overall cutoff. Each wrong answer can prove to be costly in your final score.
- Try to finish this section in 25 – 30 minutes so that you have sufficient time to attempt the remaining two sections.
- Practice as much as you can because that is what will eventually help you in the exam.
All the best for your exams..
Team AIMSUCCESS.IN
